Printing Industry Commentary & Analysis

SensorKnits: A New Approach to Wearable Tech

Published July 22, 2019

As part of our coverage of textiles and apparel, we look for interesting developments, both in the more conventional textiles and apparel market as it transitions to a more digital approach, as well as developments in technical textiles. In this article, we present the work being done at the MIT Media Lab to use knitting to embed conductive fibers in fabric in order to add functionality.

Leveraging Digital Textile and Digital Corrugated Printing for an Exceptional Consumer Unboxing Experience

Published July 22, 2019

Liz Logue, Director of New Business Development for EFI, talks about how ecommerce is changing the way brands and consumers think about the buying experience. She gives examples of how combining the capabilities of digital textile printing with digital direct-to-corrugated experience can offer an exciting unboxing experience for the consumer—for example, for high fashion or product-of-the-month subscriptions.

Durst Discusses the Advantages of Digital Textile Printing

Published July 18, 2019

Durst Textile Segment Manager Martin Winkler explains how digital textile printing is being adopted both by traditional analog businesses and new online businesses. He also stresses the importance of an end-to-end workflow to address the shorter runs and faster cycle times occurring in textiles and apparel today. Durst also focuses on making these technologies more sustainable.

Jack Noonan of MGI Discusses the Value of Embellishment in the Packaging Supply Chain

Published July 17, 2019

Jack Noonan, Marketing Manager at MGI Digital Technology, talks about embellishment of print as the next phase in the evolution of digital print for packaging. Digital special effects can add value to packaging, raise brand awareness, and foster customer engagement. Find out how.

The Evolution of APTech and the Future of the PRINT Show

Published July 16, 2019

Cary Sherburne talks with Thayer Long, the current president of the Association for PRINT Technologies (APTech), about the evolution of APTech, the upcoming PRINT 19 show, and a look ahead to the new Brand Print Americas 2020, the result of a strategic alliance with the Tarsus Group, owner and organizer of Labelexpo and Brand Print Global Series, which will replace PRINT 2020.

Is Textile Printing a Business Opportunity for Printers? CMYUK Thinks So!

Published July 16, 2019

Robin East, Group Director for CMYUK, a UK-based graphic arts distributor, suggests that print service providers should be exploring digital textile printing as a new business avenue that offers higher growth rates than commercial print. He points out that digital print providers have many transferable skills that could serve them well in the textiles market, especially home decor.

Addressing Color Management Challenges in a Hybrid Analog/Digital Textiles & Apparel Industry

Published July 15, 2019

In the textiles and apparel industry, color management has historically been a given. Now with the introduction of digital textile printing into the mix, new color management challenges have arisen. In this article, Senior Editor Cary Sherburne takes a look at the current state of color management in the textiles and apparel industry, and where it goes from here.

Abbott-Action Adds Workflow Components to Better Meet Time-to-Market Needs

Published July 15, 2019

Chuck Slingerland, Vice President of Sales and Digital Operations at Abbott-Action, discusses how the company has addressed the need to streamline the file-to-production workflow. Partners include Conductor Systems, an MIS provider, and Esko Graphics for its Automation Engine and Kongsberg cutting solutions, gaining 5 to 10 times more productivity.

How Does Digital Direct-to-Corrugated Printing Help the Watermelon Market?

Published July 10, 2019

H2O Melon CEO Savvas Tsoukalas talks with Senior Editor Cary Sherburne about how digital direct-to-corrugated printing has helped him better promote his watermelon business, customizing packaging to the particular regions the company serves.

Robert Stabler to Manage Durst/Koenig & Bauer Joint Venture

Published July 9, 2019

At the end of 2018, Durst Phototechnik and Koenig & Bauer announced a 50/50 joint venture to develop a single-pass digital printing system for the folding carton and corrugated fiberboard industries. Initially, the joint venture portfolio will comprise the Koenig & Bauer CorruJET 170 and the Durst SPC 130—including all associated services and the ink business—with a top priority to develop the VariJET 106, which was originally announced at drupa 2016 with a different partner. After learning that Robert Stabler would be managing this joint venture, WhatTheyThink was able to speak with him about his role and his thoughts about the future of the initiative.

Digital Technologies, Innovation and Sustainability Top the Conversation List at ITMA 2019

Published July 8, 2019

Digital technologies, innovation and sustainability were key elements that drew a great deal of attention at the recent ITMA 2019 show in Barcelona. In this second ITMA article, Senior Editor Cary Sherburne highlights some of the advances she noticed during the show. This just scratches the surface of ITMA announcements but provides a feel for the speed with which the industry is adopting digital technologies that affect the entire supply chain.

How Do You Avoid B2B/B2C Channel Conflict? Chris Bernat of Vapor Apparel Has Advice

Published July 8, 2019

Chris Bernat, Chief Revenue Officer of Vapor Apparel, discusses how his company avoids channel conflict between his B2B and B2C apparel business. The company sells blanks as well as garments printed using dye sublimation. He discusses channel strategy, fabric sourcing, printing technologies, and more, including IT systems that facilitate an accurate just-in-time manufacturing environment for B2C.

Ricoh Expands its Direct-to-Garment Offerings

Published July 8, 2019

Anne Veldman, Ricoh's direct-to-garment product manager, explains Ricoh's mid-range DTG Ri 1000 printer introduced at FESPA, and talks about Ricoh's strategy in the textile market going forward as well as the markets into which its DTG printers are being installed.

Bluestone Fabrics Touts the Benefits of Digital Fabric Printing

Published June 26, 2019

Bluestone Fabrics, a wholesale digital fabric printing business, offers cutting, sewing, and packaging as well. Co-Founder and CEO John Otsuki talks with Senior Editor Cary Sherburne about his efforts to educate the market on the benefits of digital fabric printing, including the ability to get products they never could before and to help make the industry more sustainable. He also talks about the need to introduce into the printing process things that will help in automating the sewing process, currently the least automated process in the manufacturing process.

Roland Introduces 16th Generation of Print & Cut at FESPA

Published June 25, 2019

Mark Elvidge, Senior Product Manager at Roland DG, explains some of the 40 enhancements to the company's TrueVIS VG2 print and cut solution, its 16th generation. This includes orange ink for a wider color gamut and faster outgassing for same-day turn of laminated projects.

World Gathers in Barcelona for ITMA 2019

Published June 24, 2019

ITMA 2019 Textile and Garment Technology Exhibition, the world’s largest trade fair for the textiles industry, is taking place in Barcelona from June 20 to 26. For our printing industry readers, this is like the drupa of textiles. Here are some of the highlights from the show, with a focus on how companies are addressing the growing need for an ecosystem approach to digital textile printing.

Design Pool Offers Interior Decor Designs and Links to Fabric Printers for Production

Published June 24, 2019

Kristen Dettoni, interior designer, founded Design Pool as a resource for highly curated interior textile designs as well as a way for designers to connect with fabric printers that have the capability to produce the work they need. Her goal was to make customization of interior decor more affordable and accessible.

ImageMark Adds Promotional Products to Product Offerings

Published June 20, 2019

Long an industry trendsetter, North Carolina-based ImageMark recently announced the addition of promotional products to its portfolio of offerings in order to increase its value to customers as a one-stop shop for everything marketing. Senior Editor Cary Sherburne spoke with CEO Walter Payne to find out what drove this decision.

3D Printing: An Opportunity for Signs & Display Graphics

Published June 19, 2019

Hear what Massivit's new CEO Erez Zimerman has to say about the company and the opportunities it sees for 3D printing to augment signs and display graphics with "stopping power," including illuminated models.

Fujifilm's Dr. Hamid Shirazi Explains the Company's Long-Time Participation in the Textile Industry

Published June 18, 2019

Dr. Hamid Shirazi explains how Fujifilm has participated in the textile industry for many years by providing contract manufacturing to OEMs for producing colorants and purification of those colorants. More recently, Fujifilm has launched colorants and inks for digital textile printing under its own brand.

SmithersPira Hosts Digital Print Week 2019 in Orlando

Published June 17, 2019

Once again, market research firm SmithersPira hosted Digital Print Week, with two conferences back to back: Digital Print for Packaging U.S. and Digital Textile Printing U.S. WhatTheyThink Senior Editor Cary Sherburne attended both sessions. The WhatTheyThink team also captured some great video content during the conferences, which will be run on the site over the next few weeks.

Why the EFI BOLT Is a Green Printer for the Textiles Industry

Published June 17, 2019

Paolo Torricella, Sales Segment Specialist for Digital Textile Equipment at EFI Reggiani, explains all the different elements EFI considered when designing the EFI BOLT single-pass digital textile printer in order to make the manufacturing process for the printer—as well as its use—as environmentally friendly as possible.

Kornit Digital Looks to the Future of the Textiles & Apparel Supply Chain

Published June 13, 2019

Ronen Samuel, CEO of Kornit Digital talks about consumer demand driving changes in the textiles and apparel supply chain and what that means for apparel and interior design. It is moving from supply and demand driven by the brands to demand and then supply, moving from 18 months lead time to one month or less. He outlines Kornit Digital's role in helping to drive this change.

HP Launches DigitalPack to Improve and Simplify the Corrugated Work Process for Global Brands

Published June 12, 2019

David Murphy, Worldwide Director of Marketing and Business Development for HP PageWide Industrial Solutions, explains HP's collaboration with users of its HP PageWide corrugated solutions to form the world's first digital users group for this market segment. Called DigitalPack, the goal of this new users group is to make digital print for corrugated better, easier, and more inspirational for global brands.

EXCLUSIVE: Adobe, Datacolor, and CSI Team to Enhance Adobe Textile Designer

Published June 11, 2019

Adobe, Datacolor, and Color Solutions International (CSI), have teamed up to continue the enhancement of Adobe Textile Designer for Photoshop by making it easier for designers to seamlessly capture inspiration colors, sending them directly into Photoshop. Adobe’s Mike Scrutton explains the details.

Debbie McKeegan Addresses How Digital Technologies Make Textiles More Sustainable

Published June 11, 2019

FESPA Textile Evangelist Debbie McKeegan talks with Senior Editor Cary Sherburne about how digital technologies are helping address sustainability issues in the textile industry, the world's second largest polluter. This includes not only the printing aspect, but the entire textiles and apparel supply chain.

FESPA 2019: Key Takeaways

Published June 10, 2019

FESPA 2019 in Munich was, by all accounts, its most successful show yet. The WhatTheyThink team walked all six halls, attended lots of press events, and did video interviews with a number of exhibitors that will be running over the next few weeks. Here are our key takeaways from the show.

SmithersPira Digital Textile Printing Conference Helps Shape the Future of the Industry

Published June 7, 2019

Duane Neidert, Director of Operations, Americas, for SmithersPira, explains the genesis of its Digital Textile Printing conference and its future. The conference started about five years ago. Its goal is to educate the industry about the digital technologies that are shaping its future, from the print engines to inks and substrates/fibers, and the software and processes that are required for an on-demand production environment.

FESPA Special Features: The Stars of the Show

Published June 3, 2019

FESPA Munich was an amazing show. If you didn’t attend this year, you should definitely consider attending next year in March in Madrid. There is something for everyone, regardless of which segment of the industry in which you play. Of particular note are the special features FESPA has organized to add to its educational value. Senior Editor Cary Sherburne reviews them here.

Print. Make. Wear. at FESPA—An Inside View

Published May 29, 2019

Print. Make. Wear. is one of the highlights of FESPA, creating a microfactory environment on the show floor to demonstrate to attendees that just-in-time manufacturing of textiles and apparel is not only possible but is being done today. Debbie McKeegan, Textile Evangelist for FESPA, organizes the event and explains what goes into putting it together.

Looking Inside the EFI FabriVU 340i

Published May 28, 2019

Senior Editor Cary Sherburne speaks with EFI's Senior Product Manager Mike Wozny about the EFI FabriVU 340i. Applicable to both the soft signage and textile markets, the FabriVU 340i incorporates patented print and calendering in one footprint and a one-step operation.

Mimaki Leverages Cross-Platform Development for Faster Time-to-Market

Published May 23, 2019

Ronald Van Den Broek of Mimaki explains how synergies across its various business units bring new and innovative technologies to market. He uses as an example the development of the new JFX-200 EX with 17-layer printing to create "2.5D" printing for easy creation of fine art and other applications.

Durst Launches New P5 Ecosystem for End-to-End Workflow

Published May 22, 2019

Christoph Gamper, CEO of Durst, talks about the strategy behind the company's development of a complete modular workflow solution from the webshop through production, working in conjunction with its P5 printer platform. The company also added two new printer models to its P5 family of printers.

Design Pool Aims to Make Fabric Design Selection Easier for Interior Designers

Published May 20, 2019

In the world of interior design, finding the exact fabric needed for a commercial or residential interior design project can be difficult. But why not have the exact fabrics you need, designed and printed on demand in the exact quantity you need? That’s the concept behind Design Pool.

Dresslife Works to Deliver a Magical Ecommerce Experience for Fashion

Published May 13, 2019

As consumers look to ecommerce for more and more of their purchasing, the fashion industry has a growing issue with costly returns—largely because items don’t fit as expected. Dresslife works with fashion brands and retailers, enabling them to offer a better customer experience and has launched a mobile app. We spoke with Dresslife’s marketing manager, Yvonne Georgi, to learn more.

Adobe Continues Enhancement of Photoshop Textile Design Capabilities

Published May 8, 2019

Six months ago, we reported on Adobe’s Project Paras, a public beta of an addition to Photoshop CC that made it easier for textile and apparel designers to do their work. We checked in with Mike Scrutton, Director of Print Technology and Strategy for Adobe, to get an update.

WhatTheyThink Exclusive—Why EFI Acquired BDR Boya Kimya and What’s Up with EFI BOLT: An Interview with Adele Genoni, EFI Reggiani Vice President and General Manager

Published May 6, 2019

On Friday, EFI announced yet another acquisition, this time Turkish company BDR Boya Kimya, a leading manufacturer of reactive inkjet inks for industrial digital textile printing. We spoke with Adele Genoni, EFI Reggiani’s Vice President and General Manager, to get the inside scoop on this acquisition. While we had her on the line, we also asked for an update on EFI BOLT, the world’s fastest digital textile printer.

2019 Sign and Display Graphics Franchise Review

Published May 2, 2019

In WhatTheyThink/Printing News’ Annual Sign and Display Franchise Review, Cary Sherburne takes a look at the major franchises—Alliance Franchise Brands, FASTSIGNS, Signarama, and SpeedPro—as well as the non-franchise Sign Biz network. She analyzes how they fared in the past year, as well as where they see growth opportunities in the future. Franchise center growth across all the networks has been strong, and will likely remain so. What is driving it?

HP Makes First Entry into Digital Textile Printing

Published April 25, 2019

Back in early 2018, we spoke with Mike Horsten, then Business Manager for Large Format Professional EMEA at HP, about HP’s potential plans for entering the digital textile printing market. Now, more than a year later, HP has made its first announcements, launching the HP Stitch series of textile printers. The company held a media briefing to discuss its strategy.

Signs.com and Ferrari Color: The Inside Story

Published April 23, 2019

The acquisition of Ferrari Color by Signs.com caught our attention. Senior Editor Cary Sherburne spoke with Signs.com cofounder and chief operating officer Nelson James to get the inside story.

Tailored Industry Revitalizing Knitwear Manufacturing in Brooklyn

Published April 22, 2019

Up until about 25 years ago, knitwear manufacturing was a big deal in Brooklyn. But since then, much of it has moved offshore. Tailored Industry is looking to revitalize knitwear manufacturing in Brooklyn using proprietary on-demand software and 3D full-garment knitting technology.

Exclusive Interview: EFI CEO Bill Muir and CFO Marc Olin Discuss Recently Announced Acquisition by Siris Capital Group

Published April 16, 2019

A press release from EFI Monday morning caught the industry by surprise. The company announced a definitive agreement to be acquired by an affiliate of Siris Capital Group LLC. Senior Editor Cary Sherburne spoke with CEO Bill Muir and CFO Marc Olin to get some background on the announcement.

SPESA President Explains Association’s Value to the Sewn Products Industry

Published April 15, 2019

Are you a supplier to the sewn products industry? If so, are you a member of SPESA? And if you are not, this article from Senior Editor Cary Sherburne lays out why you should be. SPESA’s President Michael McDonald shares his thoughts on the association’s role in promoting and supporting the sewn products industry from the supplier’s perspective.

Annual Print Franchise Review

Published April 9, 2019

In WhatTheyThink/Printing News’ Annual Franchise Review, Cary Sherburne takes a look at how the five major print franchises fared in the past year—and looks back at the last decade to see how franchises were tracking compared to commercial print and draws some conclusions about the value of franchise networks vs. an independent small commercial printing firm operating on its own.

So Many Uses for Cotton! Who Knew?

Published April 8, 2019

At TechTextil North America, Senior Editor Cary Sherburne stopped by the Cotton, Inc., booth to learn what’s new with this staple fiber (pardon the pun) and was amazed at all the uses cotton is being put to these days. It’s not just for T-shirts anymore!

Unique.Fashion Provides Tools, Community for Designers

Published March 29, 2019

The Fashion Institute of Technology and OnPoint Manufacturing yesterday announced a new development in fashion design that will enable more entrepreneurism to occur in this market. Unique.Fashion is a unique web portal for designers and buyers that is set to transform how fashion is marketed and produced. Senior Editor Cary Sherburne spoke with OnPoint Chairman Kirby Best to learn more.

Graphene in Action: The Kyorene Story

Published March 25, 2019

We recently wrote about graphene as a miracle product. At TechTextil 2019, Senior Editor Cary Sherburne was able to see graphene in action, courtesy of Kyorene. In this story, she speaks with Matt Reid, the company’s director of sales, about current and future strategies of the business, and how he expects to see graphene impact the textiles market.

Retail Expert Shares Thoughts on Digital Transformation

Published March 18, 2019

While the retail and apparel industries are moving to more digital technologies and processes, many observers still believe we are in the infancy of the analog-to-digital transformation the industry will ultimately need to undergo. Senior Editor Cary Sherburne recently spoke to a digital advocate to gain insight into the industry’s progress. Kelly Price, Director of Business Development for consulting firm ArcherGrey, made some interesting observations.

TechTextil 2019 Generates Inspiration, Excitement

Published March 11, 2019

Techtextil North America was a success by any measure. The show, which moved from Chicago to Raleigh N.C., drew more than 3,000 textile and apparel professionals and included an impressive symposium program. Cary Sherburne provides a quick summary.

FiberForce Partners with Pantone to Bring Professional Color to 3D Printing Filaments

Published March 7, 2019

Last month, Pantone entered into an agreement with FiberForce Italy to bring Pantone colors into the world of 3D printing. Although color has been available in 3D printing filaments and powders for some time, there has been no standard way to ensure users achieve the color they are truly looking for. All of that changes with this partnership. Senior Editor Cary Sherburne spoke with both Pantone and FiberForce to learn more.

Roland DGA Enters Direct to Garment Market

Published March 4, 2019

Senior Editor Cary Sherburne spoke with Roland DGA President Andrew Oransky about the company’s entry into the direct-to-garment (DTG) market as well as its overall go-to-market strategy and its future plans relative to direct-to-textile printing.

Minnows, Whales and Digital Technologies, Oh, My!

Published February 25, 2019

As the analog-to-digital transformation heats up for textiles, the opportunities for entrepreneurs heats up as well. Experience in transformations of other industries shows that not only do opportunities abound for entrepreneurs, but established businesses risk the most from non-traditional competition. We share some of their transformative stories in this article.

Why Legacy Publishers Struggle in the Digital World

Published February 21, 2019

Much has been written recently about the issues legacy publishers are facing as they try to navigate the digital world, including Jill Abramson’ book "Merchants of Truth." Setting aside the plagiarism charges, Abramson, formerly an editor at the New York Times, makes some excellent points. Senior Editor Cary Sherburne wanted to add her two cents’ worth in this article.

WeaveUp and JOANN Fabrics Make Ordering Custom Fabric Fast and Easy

Published February 18, 2019

An announcement from WeaveUp, a technology company offering digital print room solutions and customization tools for fabric, about its partnership with JOANN Fabrics, the leading fabric and craft retailer in the U.S., caught our eye. Senior Editor Cary Sherburne connected with Flint Davis, the company’s President, to learn more.

Jordache Leverages Browzwear 3D Solutions for 80% Reduction in Failed Fit Attempts

Published February 11, 2019

Once a 3D skeptic, Jordache Executive Vice President Shaul Cohen is now a true believer. Initially adopting 3D technologies from Browzwear to solve issues with getting fits right, Cohen not only achieved better fits and a rapid ROI, but is looking to expand its use of 3D technologies to solve other issues as well.

ShareCloth Looks to Facilitate On-Demand Apparel Manufacturing

Published February 4, 2019

ShareCloth has developed an integrated cloud-based solution that is designed to fill the gaps that exist in the apparel design and manufacturing ecosystem to facilitate profitable on-demand manufacturing of apparel, minimizing forced markdowns, overstocking, and waste. Senior Editor Cary Sherburne spoke with ShareCloth CEO Sergey Moliavko to learn more.

Browzwear 3D Enhancements Bring Added Functionality to Virtual Fashion Design

Published January 28, 2019

Browzwear began its life as a 3D solution dedicated to fashion. While the initial concept back in 1999 was to create a virtual dressing room, a concept that was ahead of its time, the company has pivoted to create a suite of 3D solutions for fashion that can have a positive impact on all phases of the supply chain. We spoke with Browzwear’s Chief Commercial Officer, Lena Lim, to learn more.

Sewbotics: The “Last Mile” in Automated Apparel Technology

Published January 21, 2019

As brands look to take time and waste out of the apparel design and manufacturing process, there is a strong focus on automation. Much progress has been made—yet the sewing stage has provided challenges. Softwear Automation is tackling that challenge with SewBots—robotics designed to automate the sewing process. Senior Editor Cary Sherburne spoke with Softwear Automation’s Chief Commercial Officer, Pete Santora, to learn more.

RayWear Gives Cannabis Workers as Much Protection as the Plants

Published January 14, 2019

Do you use sunscreen when in the sun? Of course you do. But if you are working under the powerful lights used to artificially grow plants—say, legal cannabis—are you taking the same precautions? Because that light can be as dangerous—or even more dangerous—than sunlight. Senior Editor Cary Sherburne spoke with Daniel Jordan, founder of RayWear Clothing Company, who has made it his personal mission to provide clothing that will protect cannabis workers from the harsh environments in which they work.

Big Opportunities for Small Design Houses

Published January 7, 2019

On a recent visit to Miami, Senior Editor Cary Sherburne stopped by to visit Carla Llull at House of Llull Atelier, an apparel design and manufacturing operation focused on delivering high quality swimwear. House of Llull is celebrating its fifth anniversary.

MakerBot Method Bridges the Gap Between Desktop and Industrial 3D Printing

Published December 11, 2018

MakerBot, a subsidiary of Stratasys, has two primary missions: Helping to innovate in STEM education to better prepare kids for the future, and to help companies bring product to market faster. It is in this latter category that today’s announcement of MakerBot Method falls. Senior Editor Cary Sherburne spoke with Forrest Leighton and Shawn Miely of MakerBot to learn more.

Cognizant Projects +148% Growth in Fashion Designer Jobs, Highlights the Future of Work

Published December 10, 2018

I was intrigued to read in a recent Axios newsletter that fashion designer jobs are expected to increase by +148%, according to Cognizant, a technology and business services company. I reached out to Ben Pring, who runs the company’s Center for the Future of Work, to learn more. And boy, did I learn more!

OnPoint Manufacturing and Gerber Technologies Announce FashionTech Platform 1.0

Published November 26, 2018

I first got to know Kirby Best when he was running on-demand book printer Lightning Source. And I was interested to see him turn up as Chairman at OnPoint Manufacturing, an on-demand garment manufacturer. We connected for a wide-ranging discussion at the recent Gerber Technology Ideation event, including the newly announced FashionTech Platform 1.0 initiative.

Textile Innovation in Rhode Island

Published November 20, 2018

Officially launched in September 2018, the Rhode Island Textile Innovation Network (RITIN) is another example of initiatives across the country that are working to revive the U.S. textile and apparel industry, both with innovations that improve efficiency and to reshore textile and apparel manufacturing. We spoke with RITIN steering committee chairman and CEO of textile company Trans-Tex Michael Woody to learn more.

EFI Reggiani Unveils the EFI Reggiani BOLT—World’s Fastest Digital Textile Printer

Published November 19, 2018

EFI Reggiani held a gala launch event for its new EFI Reggiani BOLT single-pass digital textile printer at Reggiani’s Bergamo, Italy, headquarters. Attended by nearly 300 media, customers, and potential customers, the event generated a high level of excitement. With high-quality print speeds of up to 90 meters per minute, this press looks to be a game changer for high-volume digital textile printing.

Austin Community College Seeks to Spur Industry Growth with Fashion Incubator

Published November 12, 2018

Austin Community College in Texas has launched an innovative Fashion Incubator with the goal of creating a real-to-industry learning environment in partnership with the City of Austin, Gerber Technology, and others. This is a unique approach to bringing new talent into the industry and giving new fashion-oriented businesses a jump start.

Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall…Innovative Digital Solutions for Fashion

Published November 5, 2018

The digital transformation in textiles and apparel is well underway. Senior Editor Cary Sherburne writes about the drivers for this transformation and how fashion designer Rebecca Minkoff is leveraging digital technologies in unique ways.

New EFI CEO Bill Muir Conducts Third Quarter Financial Analyst Call

Published October 31, 2018

With its new CEO in place for just two weeks, I wanted to tune in to the company’s third quarter financial analyst call to get a feel for his approach to the business. This brief article summarizes what I heard and my thoughts on EFI moving forward.

Ariel Swedroe: Best Fashion Story Ever!

Published October 29, 2018

What were you thinking about at eight years old? Probably not the career that would be your life’s passion! That’s when Ariel Swedroe began her fashion career. At Age 11, she began exploring digitally printed fabrics. Today, at age 15, she has a full-fledged fashion business. But she’s not stopping there! You’ll love this story.

Adobe Project Paras Extends Photoshop CC Textile Design Capabilities

Published October 29, 2018

Designers in textiles and apparel typically use Adobe products to create their designs. But until now, there have not been textile-specific tools to make the task easier. To address this, Adobe has announced Project Paras, a set of tools that allow designers to stay within Photoshop CC and reduce the number of steps required to complete and preview a design. We spoke with Adobe to learn more.

Kornit Brings HD Direct-to-Garment Printing to Mid-Sized Businesses with Storm HD6

Published October 22, 2018

Since launching its high-end Avalanche HD6 direct-to-garment printer and HD upgrade to most Avalanche systems with RAPID ink technology in the first quarter of this year, Kornit Digital has installed or upgraded a whopping 150 HD systems. Now the company has brought HD direct-to-garment technology to within reach of smaller businesses with the launch of the Storm HD6.

Gerber Technology’s Ideation an Inspirational Event for Textile Design and Manufacturing

Published October 15, 2018

Senior Editor Cary Sherburne recently traveled to Miami Beach to join more than 300 people at the Gerber Technology Ideation event, the company’s software users’ group. This educational and networking event is in its 20th year. The enthusiasm among the more than 240 customers and prospects in attendance reflects the efforts the company has made to listen to customers and stay ahead of the trends.

Microban Scentry and Scentry Revive: Innovations in Odor Control for Textiles

Published October 8, 2018

Microban recently released Scentry Revive, the second generation of a unique odor control fabric finish that was developed in response to brands seeking a more innovative approach to odor control. This approach could reduce the number of times a piece of clothing needs to be washed, its primary environmental benefit.

Is Graphene Really a Miracle Material?

Published October 2, 2018

A great deal is being written about graphene, in textiles and other industries. Senior Editor Cary Sherburne talked to Vorbeck Materials Corp. President & CEO Dr. John Lettow to learn more about what many are characterizing as a miracle material.

Taking Stock of Industry Associations: Part Two

Published October 1, 2018

Last summer, we took a look at the state of industry associationswith the goal of reminding our members about the many resources available to them to help move their businesses forward. By popular demand, we are now presenting Part Two in order to cover additional organizations that were not included in Part One. I’m sure there are still more!

@PRINT18 Adds New Dimension to PRINT 18 Trade Show

Published September 28, 2018

PRINT18 offers the opportunity for attendees to get their own copy of a unique publication that will be distributed at the show. Not only does it feature stunning variable covers, but it contains a wealth of original thought leadership content that will benefit attendees during the show and long afterward. WhatTheyThink President Eric Vessels explains.

Explaining Nonwovens

Published September 25, 2018

In this next in the series of articles about technical textiles, Senior Editor Cary Sherburne speaks with Smithers Pira Associate Consultant for Nonwovens Phillip Mango to learn more about nonwovens—what are they, how is the market categorized, and what are some of their uses.

Association for PRINT Technologies (APTech) Expands Membership to Print Service Providers

Published September 24, 2018

The Association for PRINT Technologies (APTech) is announcing a new print service provider membership category just in time for PRINT 18. If you are going to PRINT, you can get the first year of membership free! We spoke with APTech to find out more.

Functional Fabric Finishes: Advances Extend Fabric Utility

Published September 17, 2018

In recent years, significant advances have been made in both aesthetic and functional fabric finishes. While some finishes are produced mechanically, the focus of this article, the latest in our series on technical textiles, is on chemical treatments or coatings that add functionality to fabrics for comfort or for specialized uses.

Getting Grounded in Geotextiles

Published September 10, 2018

This is the fourth installment of a series of articles by Senior Editor Cary Sherburne on technical textiles—how they fit in the industry, why they are important, and interesting new developments. In this installment in the series, Sherburne discusses geotextiles, an important but rarely discussed segment of technical textiles.

Fiber Computing: The Next Industrial Revolution

Published September 4, 2018

The mission of Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA) is to enable a manufacturing-based revolution—what we could call Industry 5.0—with the transformation of traditional fibers, yarns, and textiles into highly sophisticated integrated and networked devices and systems. In a recent conversation with Senior Editor Cary Sherburne, the organization’s Chief Marketing Officer, Eric Spackey, explains.

LED Lighting in Retail: What’s the Impact on Color?

Published August 27, 2018

As brick-and-mortar retail works to streamline costs by updating facilities with LED lighting, are they overlooking an important effect—how LED lighting will affect the way customers see the color of their products? Senior Editor Cary Sherburne looks into the pros and cons of LED lighting and how the retail industry is approaching this conversion.

Unraveling the Mystery of Modern Knitting

Published August 20, 2018

This is the third in a series of articles by Senior Editor Cary Sherburne on technical textiles—how they fit in the industry, why they are important, and interesting new developments. In this installment in the series, Sherburne visits with Fabdesigns, an innovator in knitted technical textiles. The company helped Nike bring the FlyKnit shoe to market and much more.

Sir Speedy Celebrates Its 50th Anniversary

Published August 14, 2018

In August, Sir Speedy, franchise operation in the Franchise Services family, celebrates its 50th year in business. Senior Editor Cary Sherburne spoke with Don and Richard Lowe to get an update on the business, and to take a little trip down memory lane.

Flexible Packaging Moves From Conventional to Digital

Published August 14, 2018

Karen English, Market Development Manager for Printpack, shares how this conventional flexible packaging converter has implemented digital printing for a hybrid manufacturing process.

Inside Technical Textiles: The Glen Raven Story

Published August 13, 2018

This is the second of a series of articles by Senior Editor Cary Sherburne on technical textiles—how they fit in the industry, why they are important, and interesting new developments. In this installment in the series, Sherburne shares the Glen Raven story, a 138-year-old company that has almost completely reinvented itself.

Inside Technical Textiles: The Basics

Published August 8, 2018

This is the first of a series of articles by Senior Editor Cary Sherburne on technical textiles—how they fit in the industry, why they are important, and interesting new developments. In this first installment in the series, Sherburne defines technical textiles and provides examples of how they are purpose-built for specific applications.

New Enhancements Released in AccuMark Version 11

Published August 8, 2018

Mary McFadden, Executive Director of CAD Project Management for Gerber Technology, discusses the new enhancements to AccuMark Version 11. Gerber continues to make enhancements to this premier CAD system for the textiles and apparel industry.

Volaris Group Makes First Foray into Print Automation Software

Published August 7, 2018

The recent acquisition of print automation software provider Aleyant by Canada’s Volaris Group raised some eyebrows in the industry. Who is the Volaris Group? What strategy are they pursuing relative to the printing industry? And what does this acquisition mean for Aleyant? These were questions Senior Editor Cary Sherburne investigated.

Advances in Corrugated Printing

Published August 6, 2018

Liz Logue, Director of Corporate Business Development for EFI, discusses the growth of the digital direct-to-corrugated market, with some great show-and-tell to share.

Customization is Key for Carriage House Printery

Published August 1, 2018

Michael Frankhauser, Owner of Carriage House Printery, shares his inspiring personal story, from designing equipment for a manufacturing company to starting his own custom textile printing company.

When Fads Fade

Published July 31, 2018

Tim Brule, Vice President of Disruptive Technologies for Fanatics Inc., shares how this company has grown its business via online stores. From fast fashion and fad fashion, to micro moments, the world of fashion is rapidly changing.

Coloro Markets New Color System for Fashion, Lifestyle, and Interiors

Published July 31, 2018

Do we need another color system? Coloro thinks so. The company launched its color system last year, based on the 100-year-old Munsell system, and claims it to be the easiest to use and most logical system on the market. Senior Editor Cary Sherburne spoke with Coloro Managing Director Thorsten Traugott to learn more.

EFI CEO Guy Gecht to Step Down after 19 Years as CEO

Published July 31, 2018

EFI CEO Guy Gecht surprised many industry watchers by announcing during the company's 2nd Quarter Earnings Call that he would be stepping down as CEO after nearly two decades in the role. WhatTheyThink Senior Editor Cary Sherburne spoke with Gecht to find out why he took this decision, what the process is for replacing him, and what might be on the horizon for him in the future.

Spoonflower Celebrates 10 Years

Published July 26, 2018

Gart Davis, CEO of Spoonflower, takes us through the history of a company that has grown its business largely through digital textile printing and e-commerce and now celebrates its 10-year anniversary.

AR on Corrugated Packaging

Published July 25, 2018

Chuck Slingerland, Vice President of Sales and Digital Operations for Abbott-Action, is excited about the potential for augmented reality (AR) in corrugated packaging.

Taking Stock of Industry Associations

Published July 24, 2018

It’s been some time since we have taken a look at the state of our industry associations. Senior Editor Cary Sherburne conducted 17 interviews in late Spring 2018 with key industry players to get an update on status and strategies. We don’t cover every organization in the industry—there are simply too many—but it gives a good overview on the organizations and resources available to help printing businesses be more successful.

Purissimo from Devan Chemicals: A Textile Treatment Bringing Hope to Pet Allergy Sufferers

Published July 23, 2018

Do you have a cat or a dog? Or would you like to, if only you or someone in your household weren’t sensitive to allergens shed by cats and dogs? Devan Chemicals has an answer that may help. The company recently launched a technology to make textiles free from allergens shed by cats and dogs. Purissimo™ is a probiotic-based solution and is completely natural. We spoke to the company to learn more.

New Facility for IT Supplies

Published July 23, 2018

Jeff Lucido, General Manager for IT Supplies, celebrates the 20th anniversary of the company with a new facility and shares how it will help the industry.

The Advantages of EFI InNova Pigment Inks for Textiles

Published July 19, 2018

Paolo Torricella, Textiles Segment Manager for EFI Reggiani, describes the benefits of EFI InNova pigment inks for direct-to-fabric printing from vibrant colors to a lower impact on the environment.

Articles by Cary Sherburne